BLOG LEG 5
Read moreMeanwhile, we’re all fighting for that one mile that is so hard to keep up and even harder to win
THE LAST PUSH
Only a few hours left until the arrival and the last night onboard MAPFRE. The truth is that an impressive finish is coming up.
Read moreThe results after 18 days of racing are coming, and it would be amazing to seal it on the podium.
A FANTASTIC END TO THE LEG
It is a fantastic end to the leg, being so close after this many miles. Everyone on board is very nervous, but in the end you get used to always living with the pressure.
Read moreLet’s see what happens, we are anxious to finish, it’s a tough leg, mainly because it’s been the first really rough one and we suffered under lack of training, but we are all safe and sound, and the boat is performing at 100% of her capacity.
IKER MARTÍNEZ: “WE ARE NOW ALMOST HEADING HOME”
We tacked and are on port tack now, the much expected shift finally kicked in and after the hight pressure we are now almost heading home.
Read moreI don’t think many boats have been able to truly sail today, as we were all in survival mode, trying not to break anything
50 KNOTS IS A LOT OF WIND
The last 48 hours along the Argentinian coast have been quite tough sailing-wise. I’d like to say I’m enjoying it, but I am not. I want this part of the offshore beatand the leg to end already. We’ve already gone through a lot in the Southern Ocean for the South Atlantic to be beating on us like this.
Read moreAt times we can see Alvimedica and also Brunel on the AIS. The ones in front are fast and the one behind pushes hard. We are all healthy and in good shape, looking forward to arriving in Itajaí.
NORTH
We are sailing north and close reaching, chasing Alvimedica. “One at a time”, as Iker puts it. First them, then Abu Dhabi.
Read moreThere is little left to Cape Horn and it’s tight. It’s like a never-ending 100m sprint. It’s explosive, and we must constantly give 100%.
SURFING THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC
The five Volvo Ocean 65s are sailing at full steam to Cape Horn and fantastic sailing conditions are propelling us towards the Atlantic Ocean. 30 knots of gusty, strong wind are filling our A3 sail with the power to surf the frozen waves of the Pacific.
Read moreThe Southern Ocean challenge is the biggest there is in offshore sailing, and riding the waves in 30 knots wind at the aft, with the world’s top sailors is just the best.
30 KNOTS… CAPE HORN, HERE WE GO!
We have our eyes firmly on the Cape and we are sailing full speed, we are not going to stop until Brazil!
Read moreIn about 200nm, we will leave the ice exclusion zone behind and we’ll be able to sail straight to Cape Horn
TIKI TAKA IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN
We’re here in the middle of a tiki-taka fight in the Volvo In-Port Southern Ocean Race!
Read more“Get ready for a really tough end of the race, the wind will pick up non stop. After Cape Horn we’ll have 40 knots heading upwind, and then 35 to 40 reaching,” says Iker.
24 HOURS, 23 GYBES
Gybe after gybe we crossed our competitors as close as 50 metres. These crossings make for super exciting racing and today the fleet is as close as predicted
Read moreThe fleet is sailing together again, and together we’ll reach the new wind. The first to get to Cape Horn is going to have a good leverage on the others. Sailing to Itajaí is going to be tight.
RECOVERING ENERGY
The sun came up, went down, the wind dropped and the sea state subsided a little, so that we could finally sail calmly enough as to repair sails, winches, check the mast and organize things inside.
Read moreWe are sailing towards the ice limit and here it doesn’t snow, it hails, so you can do two sports in one. We sail and ski, for when the hail stones gather it gets really slippery and walking on deck gets dangerous.
LEADING THE FLEET
Second moment of joy of the day was seeing ourselves leading the fleet and on the right track. We know in the future things can change and very quickly as well.
Read moreWe were on deck and it was I who was closest to the water. Xabi grabbed my jacket and helped me get out of this terrible situation.
CHINESE GYBE
With this speed and due to a big wave, our boat was completely lying on his side. We were on deck. and it was I who was closest water
Read moreWe’ll get to Cape Horn in 6 or 7 days depending on the ice limit and its movement.
THE ROARING FORTIES
On our way south we have three barriers to cross: the roaring forties, the furious fifties and the cold sixties. Currently, we are in the roaring forties with gusts of 25 knots that are entertaining us a lot.
Read more“It’s a long leg and this will undoubtedly change, it’s a big casino” says Jean Luc, with a cheery tone in his voice to lift our spirits.
NOTHING TO LOSE, EVERYTHING TO WIN
Key moments for the fleet in this leg are coming up: first and foremost, we must decide before March 23 whether we’re taking the northern or the southern route
Read moreIt’s been a good day of repairs and sail changes. We checked where we had leakages, and sealed each one of them.
LITTLE WINDS AND LOT OF SHIFTS
Everybody well onboard and pushing MAPFRE forward with every drop of sweat.
Read moreFor every mile sailed towards the east-southeast, the cold gets more noticeable. Tonight was our third night offshore, and hoods and gloves have made it onto the deck.
FEELING THE COLD AND THE FORCE OF THE SEA
“The next 10 days will be complicated and colder than ever before,” commented Ñeti.
Read moreAfter winning leg 4 MAPFRE is fit and ready to give everything in this leg.
SOUTHERN OCEAN, HERE WE COME!
The fleet is really tight and MAPFRE is sailing in the top three all the time. The landscape around us is amazing and after several gybes we reach the open sea.
Read moreIt wasn’t an easy decision for the Volvo Ocean Race, that’s for sure.
IKER MARTÍNEZ ABOUT THE START
The cyclone is passing now, it’s very strong, and once she’s gone she’ll leave a high pressure behind and, as incredible as it might sound, the wind will decrease really really quick to almost nothing.
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